GoGoKitty’s Massage Secrets

Russian massage is based on techniques that have been used in Russia for over 100 years, and is based on the philosophy that through massage the body can learn to heal, relax and repair itself. Russian massage uses many unusual techniques, but they do use similar terms to Swedish massage.

So for example they use the terms friction and tapotement, but the techniques they use are very different to those used in other styles of massage. The Russian massage style of tapotement is less intrusive than the Swedish style, covers a larger surface area and is used to increase blood flow to the muscles. Russian massage also uses some friction techniques, both that are very deep tissue styles of massage.

The “sawing” technique is an intense style of massage that adds much heat to the muscles and is helpful for chronic muscular problems. The cresting technique is also unique to this style of massage and again is a friction technique. Often used in sports massage, this technique again provides lots of heat to the muscles. Raking is also a very common technique that is used along the erector spinae muscles and also the intercostals muscles, allowing for deep tissue manipulation of these muscles. However there are also some very gentle, relaxation styles of massage in the Russian style including the rocking of the body.

During this style of massage, the client’s body is moved and rocked a lot, with the therapist using the client’s body to massage. So for instance, when massaging the muscles in the calf, the therapist will pick up the leg and rock it back and forth, using the weight of the muscle to massage the attachment points. This allows for a less intrusive style of massage and allows the massage therapist to work with the body, not against it.

All of the techniques including friction and cresting use the weight of the therapists body to provide the massage, rather than stressing the therapists thumbs and hands.

Russian massage is also known as being very easy on the therapist’s body and therefore helps extend the therapists working life. It does not use thumbs at all and a big part of the massage is protection of the therapist’s body.

Russian therapists believe that sometimes giving 50% energy to a client will have a better effect than giving 100%. This style of massage has developed in Russia over the last century and is used extensively in hospitals, with patients often being prescribed a series of massages during their stay.

Similarly, doctors in Russia use massage therapy in their treatment of patients. Russian massage has been rarely seen in the West and is not commonly available.

Ripple Massage’s website has much information on massage Yarra and is the one mobile massage therapy business in Australia that offers Russian massage to its clients. Operating in Queensland, NSW and Victoria, clients are able to access this unique and rare style of massage that not only allows for deep relaxation but is deeply therapeutic. For more details visit the website.

Nothing goes better with a deep tissue massage than aromatherapy.The benefits of pure essential oils has been writen about through the ages.  The Bible alone has 188 references to essential oils. There are many who use essential oils in their own personal, holistic heath care.  Not only are the aromas pleasing to the mind, the oils can even affect your emotions. 

At Navarre Massage, when I choose an essence for a client, I let their nose be the judge.  I primarily use Young Living Oils as their reputation for purity is well-known.  As I am not an Aroma therapist, I just like using the oils because I feel it can enhance any effect we are trying to obtain. 

Oils can help conditions like anxiety, depression, circulation, fatigue, high blood pressure, itching, muscles and sinuses.  Depending on what is going on in the clients life—highly stressed, tight muscles, sinus congestion; depression, there are various oils that can have a positive effect on individuals. 

The oils I use most are:

• Eucalyptus - Can be used to help conditions such as asthma, Candida, diabetes, migraines, and can increase energy; it also has a strong anti-viral effect.
 
• Lavender - Helps to balance the body and gives you a feeling of well being.  It can be used to help anything from acne, allergies, menopausal conditions, high blood pressure, or skin conditions. 

• There are some blends I like to use and one of my favorites is Panaway.   I apply it to painful muscles or bruises and often the client notices a positive effect quickly. 

• There are a number of oils I like for there sedative effect, I usually try Lavender, Sandalwood, Clary Sage or Jasmine. 

For clients coming in for the first time, I find out what is going on in their lives and do everything I can to help them to feel better emotionally and physically.The use of oils assists in healing effects that my clients may receive.  Ask your therapist to try some oil on you—you might be pleasantly surprised at the results.

From my experience, here’s what I believe are the top 10 reasons most people haven’t tried massage therapy for health and wellness.  Trust me, I’ve heard them all.  And, when you get right down to it, none of these arguments are strong enough to deny yourself the benefits of massage!

1. Some tell me “I NEVER HEARD ABOUT THE MANY BENEFITS OF MASSAGE.”  If that’s the case, then go to my Navarre Massage site, there I list a number of benefits of massage, to include many physical, mental and emotional benefits.  Massage can reduce chronic pain and relieve tired and aching muscles.  But, did you know massage can also improve muscle tone, reduce heart rate, relieve cramps and muscle spasms and calm the nervous system?

2. Many believe that “MASSAGE IS TOO EXPENSIVE.”  Well, it all comes down to a matter of personal choice.  If you find the right therapist who understands your goals and knows a variety of techniques, how can you not afford to take control of your health and start on a path of wellness?

3. I often hear that people are UNCOMFORTABLE” with taking off clothes for a massage, and that’s absolutely normal.  In Florida, therapists are required to drape all private areas and you remain properly draped during your entire session.  Each person’s comfort level ranges from bare to fully-clothed.  Experienced therapists work to your level of comfort. Don’t be shy … be healthy.

4. Some believe that “MASSAGE HURTS.”  That simply is not the case.All Experienced therapists know that everyone has a different threshold for pain and that will determine the level of pressure and type of treatment.  Talk to your therapist during the treatment.  There are many different modalities in massage.  Each modality has specialized strokes and pressure levels, and at Island Escape Massage & Spa I practice a variety of modalities. 

5. Some people equate massage with “LUXURY.”  True, a massage from an experienced therapist can be absolutely luxurious.  But, it’s not just something reserved for the rich and famous at exclusive health spas that cost an arm and a leg.  Massage can help anybody’s aching muscles, improve one’s mood, relieve mental stress and provide a general feeling of well-being.  With such a profound effect on one’s health, it need not be exclusive to celebrities. 

6. Similar to the issue above, some spouses discourage massage as an “INDULGENCE.”  I have a great solution for that!  Buy your spouse a gift certificate so that he or she can share your benefits?

7. Many people have complained to me that they are “NOT SURE WHERE TO FIND A GOOD THERAPIST.”  The American Massage Therapy Association has a therapist locator service that guarantees you’ll find a licensed and trained therapist who is maintains currency by annual continuation training.  There are also state associations, for example the Florida State Massage Therapy Association.  At Island Escape Massage and Spa, I am an active member of both and maintain current qualifications in each of my massage modalities.

8. Some people believe that massage is “ALL PASSIVE” and that they can enjoy greater health benefits with more active and vigorous activity, such as exercise.  I mean, you just lie there, right?  Well, not exactly.  In fact, massage and exercise are meant to complement each other.  Many of my massage techniques involve stretching and isometric resistance.  Massage increases your circulation, bringing nutrients and oxygen to your cells which increase your energy level and enhance your exercise sessions..

9. I’ve heard it from many people.  Unless you’re a runway model or Olympic athlete, you’ll be “EMBARRASSED” on the massage table.  Please, don’t perpetuate that myth!  A Navarre massage vacation is for all body shapes & sizes.  Whether you are small, medium, large or extra large, when I am working on you I don’t judge.  I’m a professional, and I am trained to let your body tell me what is happening at a deeper level.

10.  Oh, but I don’t have the “TIME.”  After reading this far, and learning about the many reasons why you should get that massage, what are you waiting for!  Make the time to do something genuinely good for yourself and your health.  No one is more important.  And remember . . . YOU DESERVE TO BE KNEADED

Article Provided by Vancouver Spa Spruce Body Lab

With Father’s Day just passed, I started to reflect on how the perception of men experiencing spa treatments has changed.

Oddly enough, my introduction to skin care and massage therapy was through a man- my Dad!  I think he may have been an original metro-sexual.  Now, even that term seems tired and silly, as culturally we’ve come to embrace that health and wellness are not reserved for the realm of one gender, but for both men and women.

Vancouver is one of Canada’s most progressive and modern cities and as such, there’s an increasing demographic of men taking part in spa treatments and skin care.

This is in part due to marketers realizing that men want to take care if themselves and they want products and treatments that are aimed specifically at them. As a result there is now a huge variety of skin care products targeting men which have popped up in the last few years.

Following suit, spas are now tailoring their decor and even the activities they offer to men. One Vancouver spa touts a lounge where men can play x-box while they get their pedicure done. Here at Spruce Body Lab, our focus has always been on creating a gender neutral environment where both men and women can feel comfortable.

Some of the ways we approach this is with our decor, which is modern and minimalist. We also choose skin care products that don’t lend themselves to one specific gender. When we choose to carry a product line, the smell, look and feel of the product needs to be something that both a man and a woman would feel comforatable to have in their medicine cabinet. With our client base at a very nice balance of 50/50 men and women, we must be doing something right!

As far as treatments for men go, we offer Vancouver massage therapy which is easily a favorite of our male clientele.  Waxing for the back and shoulders, as well as chest and stomach, has become very popular in the last few years. And skin care treatments amongst our male clientele has steadily increased as well.

With regards to skin care treatments, our Customized Spruce Facial is a client favorite. Each treatment is tailored to each person’s specific skin condition and concerns.  For men, we carry the Dermalogica Shave line of products which offers a skin care regime that makes shaving a breeze instead of a burden.

Whenever I’ve treated anyone, male or female who has never experienced a skin treatment- the end result is always the same- “Why haven’t I done this sooner?” I think that fear of the unknown or misconceptions about what it means to get a skin care treatment is what holds most people back. Once they’ve had the experience, it opens up a whole new world of self care.

The last frontier in popularity of treatments for men is the body treatment. A body treatment is something that even women have a hard time getting their heads around.  Body treatments are a combination of the relaxation of body massage, with the skin smoothing and nourishing benefits of a skin treatment.  Put in such simple terms- I don’t think it will be long before these treatments are a man-favorite too!

It’s nice to see that men like my Dad are no longer an anomaly and that the spa industry has responded in kind.

There are a number of holistic benefits that a massage can deliver. Increased blood flow and circulation are common positives associated with massage. A reduction in pain and muscle tension is also commonly reported. And, yes, there is also a number of reports that massage can help reduce stress. Unfortunately, not all of us have the benefit of a live in masseuse in our homes! That is why it is certainly helpful to purchase a heat massager device that can deliver many of the same benefits that a traditional massage can yield.

What kind of devices is out there that can help deliver a reliable heat massage? There is an excellent heat lamp that can direct targeted heat to any specific area of the body that is proving popular in certain consumer circles. Then, there are handheld items that will massage targeted areas in a concentrated manner. These devices can definitely help reduce problems for those that are dealing with injuries and tension in specific regions of the body. For those that are looking for foot massage devices, there are slippers/sleeves that contain built in heat massaging units. To say they can have a positive effect on the feet would be quite the understatement. This is only a minor, brief overview of the items available. There are a number of heat massagers in the market today, and all of them bring a positive benefit to the consumer. This, in turn, can help improve the quality of a person’s life dramatically.

How expansive are these massage devices on the market? Well, you will be surprised to know that there are portable massagers too which can be fitted to your car seat Yes, you can drive to and from work while enjoying a massage! Actually, you can enjoy a massage when you get home through purchasing a massage chair and placing it in front of your television set. Massages have become quite popular and that is why there are so many excellent massage items available for consumer use. But, are these products gimmick oriented or do they possess an actual value that consumers will benefit from? Without a doubt the answer to this question is affirmative.

Massage is not a quasi-science that is a construct of the modern world. Massage therapy has been around for centuries and it has long since delivered positive health benefit results. This alone can stand as a reason why personal massage therapy is so popular. Of course, as our modern technology progresses forward, a number of excellent products have been developed to simulate the effect of massage therapy. The brilliant concept of targeted heat to a specific body area is what this is achieved through. In short, it creates a massage without the need for a masseuse. This creates an amazingly convenient device well worth owning.

The costs of these heat massage units vary from product to product. In general, however, their costs are relatively inexpensive. No matter what your own individual budget may be, you can acquire a heat massage unit that can deliver much needed massage therapy.